AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. — The Airway Heights Police Department is getting $545,000 to help the victims of violent crime.
The money will be used to hire two safety advocates who will work with the police department for the next two years. It is the largest grant given to any law enforcement organization in the state.
The Washington Attorney Generals Office is investing nearly $2 million into law enforcement agencies across the state in hopes of preventing gun violence and improving public safety.
“It’s such an opportunity in service for those people that we serve,” said Airway Heights Police Chief Bradley Richmond. “What an opportunity for our community to be able to give those services back to them, and what a blessing from the state in general to be able to facilitate that future for our community.”
Airway Heights Police hopes it can use the money to be better advocates for the victims of crimes in the area with the West Plains Victims of Violent Support Services program.
The safety advocates will help victims of violent crime navigate the criminal justice system and social services.
“Oftentimes after they’ve been victimized, it’s tough to be able to navigate all of the different criminal justice systems, all of the other systems that are there,” said Chief Richmond. “These victim advocates will be there to take them through the process.”
Airway Heights Police hopes its victims support program will continue to build off the work already being done by the West Plains Crisis Response Team, a program that runs in collaboration with the Cheney Police Department and pairs officers with licensed mental health experts.
The safety advocates that are part of this new program will work directly with the department’s domestic violence detective.
“I think overall, we’re looking for a holistic approach to helping people in need in our community,” Chief Richmond said. “They’ll work hand in hand with some of those resources that we have to try to facilitate a future for all of those people in need in our community.”
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